Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act

Key Points

• This bill, introduced by Mr. DeSaulnier and Mr. Stauber, requires states to set minimum safety rules for how schools handle concussions. If states do not put these rules in place within five years, they could lose 5% to 10% of their federal education funding. The goal is to make sure all students have the same protections regardless of where they live.
• Under the new rules, any student suspected of having a concussion must be pulled from play immediately. They are not allowed to return to sports on the same day they were injured. To get back on the field, a student must provide a written release from a healthcare professional who is trained in treating brain injuries in children.
• The policy also requires schools to help students with their schoolwork while they recover. This includes providing 'cognitive rest,' which might mean shorter school days or modified assignments. Schools must create a team of parents, teachers, and health professionals to help the student slowly return to both sports and classroom activities.
• Schools would be required to train coaches, teachers, and nurses on how to recognize the signs of a concussion, such as memory loss, dizziness, or mood changes. Information about the risks of brain injuries must be posted clearly on school grounds and on school websites so that parents and students are well-informed.